PPD Association

We need YOU 🫵

🥳 We're excited to announce that a Feature Film Director and Emmy-winning producer are creating a PPD video, and we need your story!

Have you or someone you have treated experienced stress-induced pain or illness? Share your journey in 3 minutes or less to help millions.

🎁 Submit your video for a chance to win a free voucher for our $200 PPDA Challenging Cases Course—an amazing resource for patients and practitioners!

Your video should include:

- Introduce yourself and share what you can do now that you couldn’t before.
- Explain what being symptom-free means to you.
- Reflect on your PPD journey and any significant insights.
Examples:

"Hi, I’m Amy. I used to be bedridden, now I’m back at work!"
"My name is Rashid. Migraines ruled my life, now I hardly think about them!"
"I’m Camille. Long Covid had me crawling, now I dance daily and direct movies!"

🔗 Submit your story here: https://form.jotform.com/242244886881064

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterized by profound fatigue, sleep abnormalities, difficulty in thinking, pain, and other symptoms that are made worse by exertion. Symptoms persist for at least six months and are not explained by an underlying medical condition. CFS is also known as Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disorder (SEID) and Myalgic Encephalitis (ME).

The symptoms of CFS are real but the cause has not been determined. Because of this, it is worth considering whether the brain, which is fully capable of causing symptoms in the body, could be contributing (even slightly) to the CFS.

If you're living with chronic pain and seeking transformative insights, don't miss the opportunity to attend the PPD Association Conference 2024 in Boulder, CO.

My Pain Coach, LLC will be there, learning from world-renowned experts like Dr. Dave Clarke and Dr. Howard Schubiner to enhance our programs, ensuring they continue to significantly reduce or even provide recovery from chronic pain.

This event features world-renowned pain experts offering invaluable knowledge to help you on your journey to healing.

🔹 Dr Dave Clarke
🔹Dr Howard Schubiner
🔹Georgie Oldfield MCSP
🔹Dr John Stracks
🔹Nicole Sachs LCSW
🔹Dr David Schechter

PPD Association's mission:
To end the chronic pain epidemic by advancing the diagnosis and treatment of stress-induced medical conditions. The PPDA strives to educate the public and healthcare professionals about PPD, promote research, and provide support to those affected by these conditions.

You can secure your spot here:
https://ppdassociation.org/2024-ppda-conference #!event-register/2024/9/25/2024-ppda-conference-1

💡"The pain is absolutely real, and we need to identify the causes of it."

In this episode of The Whole View with Stacy Toth, Dr. Clarke and Stacey dive into pain-relief psychology, the physical differences of someone’s brain who has a PPD, and why the term “psychosomatic” gets a bad rap.

🔗 Full Episode: https://realeverything.com/the-whole-view-with-stacy-toth-season-3-episode-122-psychosomatic-vs-psychophysiologic-disorder-w-dr-david-clarke/

🧐 Could a simple nerve block be the key to back pain relief?

A recent study explored whether targeting the medial branch nerve with various treatments could effectively reduce chronic back pain.

❗️ Surprisingly, the results showed that none of the methods, including freezing and heating the nerve, performed better than a placebo.

📚 This finding aligns with a growing body of research showing that invasive or non-psychological treatments for chronic pain often yield no more than a placebo effect.

In contrast, psychophysiologic approaches have demonstrated significantly better outcomes, suggesting it's time to shift focus from invasive methods to more holistic, effective solutions.

🔗: https://ppdassociation.org/blog/2024/7/22/new-study-on-nerve-block-for-back-pain

🎙️On this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast, Dr. Karen Litzy dives deep into chronic paiPPDAPsychophysiologic Disorders Association.

💡 Dr. Clark sheds light on stress-related brain-generated medical conditions and the mission of his organization to end the chronic pain epidemic. They emphasize the importance of looking beyond structural damage in addressing chronic pain.

🔗 https://podcast.healthywealthysmart.com/david-clarke/

⚠️ "Whenever you hear or read advice from a “health expert,” ask yourself two questions before you begin following their recommendations. (This applies to me, too!)

Are they making a profit from the advice they are providing or the product they are selling? If so, there is a potential for a conflict of interest. (Dozens of these products are currently marketed for PPD conditions.)

Do they have scientific evidence (published in peer-reviewed journals with high standards) that supports their claims?"

~ Taken from our exclusive PPD course for PPD Relief Alliance members.

Did you miss our Early Bird offer?

You're in luck! We're reopening Early Bird Pricing for the 2024 PPDA Conference until August 4th at 11:59 PM PDT.

❗80% of our seats are already reserved so register as soon as you can.

📅 Event Details:
📍 Location: Boulder, CO
🗓️ Dates: September 26-28, 2024

Take advantage of this limited-time offer to connect with industry experts, gain valuable insights, and network with peers in the field. Register now and secure your spot at a discounted rate!

🔗 Register Here: https://ppdassociation.org/2024-ppda-conference #!event-register/2024/9/25/2024-ppda-conference-1

🤔 Do you have burning questions about chronic pain or illness?

We are thrilled to invite you to an exclusive event - a live Q&A session with David Clarke MD, President of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association and a board-certified gastroenterologist and internist.

This Q&A will dive deeper into the science behind stress-induced pain and illness, and you are on the guest list!

Here is why you do not want to miss out:
▪ It's Absolutely Free: That's right - you get to learn from an expert without spending a dime.
▪ Attend Virtually: No need to leave your comfort zone. Attend the session right from your home, office, or favorite coffee shop.
▪ Global Accessibility: Regardless of where you are in the world, you can join in. All you need is a stable internet connection.
▪ Ask Your Unique Questions: Have a question that's been bothering you? Dr. Clarke is ready to answer. This is your chance to get expert insights tailored to your needs.
Don't miss this opportunity to empower yourself with the knowledge to manage your symptoms effectively.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to register!

We are thrilled to welcome these talented speakers to the upcoming in-person PPDA conference!

📍 Join us for three days of learning, networking, and growth with 19 PPD experts.

Don’t miss the 2024 PPDA Conference in Boulder, CO, September 26-28. Secure your spot as availability is limited! 🗓️

🔗 Register here: https://ppdassociation.org/2024-ppda-conference #!event-register/2024/9/25/2024-ppda-conference-1

🧠 "To grow a healthy and accurate self-esteem consider the following as you think about ACEs:

▪ The child was forced to cope with these problems through no fault of their own.

▪ The situation was analogous to being born on the far side of Mt Everest or deep in a dangerous jungle.

▪ Heroic perseverance was needed to endure this environment while trying to solve the problems as best they could.

▪ No matter how remarkably they coped, repeated failure to solve problems created by adults can only result in the child assuming they are less worthy than others.

▪ The truth is my ACE-surviving PPD patients have overcome highly difficult emotional or physical challenges which is the dictionary definition of a hero.

When my patients were able to accept their own heroism, they were on their way to flipping their self-image from negative to positive. This is no more than they deserve.

As a reminder I asked many of my patients to write the following on an index card:

[NAME] is a hero!

I would ask them to tape this to their bathroom mirror as a daily affirmation. The resulting growth in self-esteem can then produce a domino effect of improvements in other personality traits linked to ACEs."

~ Taken from an exclusive course for Relief Alliance members

Click the link in our bio to become a member for full access!

💡It's important not only to outline the problem but also provide the solution!

Many chronic pain and illness sufferers find themselves confused when there's no evidence of structural damage or disease.

Despite experiencing very real symptoms, they often feel abandoned, as shown in the first image, without the necessary support from healthcare providers.

However, our message to the world is one of 🌟HOPE🌟(as shown in the second image)!

In contrast with the swamp of unvalidated alternative healthcare products, there is now scientific research demonstrating that chronic pain and illness can be successfully diagnosed, treated, and alleviated.

Share this with someone who needs to hear it!
🔗 Take our Self-Quiz to get started: https://ppdassociation.org/ppd-self-questionnaire

We are thrilled to welcome these talented speakers to the upcoming in-person PPDA conference!

📍 Join us for three days of learning, networking, and growth with 19 PPD experts.

Don't miss the 2024 PPDA Conference in Boulder, CO, September 26-28. Secure your spot as availability is limited! 🗓️

🔗 https://ppdassociation.org/2024-ppda-conference #!event-register/2024/9/25/2024-ppda-conference-1

Low Back or Lumbar Pain refers to pain in the region of 5️⃣ spinal bones (lumbar vertebrae) in the lower back.

Sciatic pain is felt along the course of the sciatic nerve that begins with nerves emerging from five adjacent levels of the lower spine.

Once these nerve roots join, they form the large sciatic nerve that enters the leg and sends off smaller nerves to all regions of the legs and feet. Bulging of one or more of the rubbery, shock-absorbing discs that are located between the vertebrae or by swelling of the joint between vertebrae can put pressure on the sciatic nerve roots.

However, bulging discs and other spine abnormalities are found in more than half of people over the age of 40 who have no pain.

They are also common even in younger people. Therefore, the presence of these abnormalities does not mean the pain is generated by them.

If a doctor’s neurologic examination shows no muscle weakness, no loss of reflexes, no bowel or bladder problems and no loss of sensation in the skin then serious nerve root compression is unlikely.

It is also helpful to know that most pain from a bulging (herniated) disc will resolve on its own within a couple of weeks or months. If the pain persists for longer than this with no evidence of nerve root compression, then it is likely the brain is involved in generating or contributing to the symptoms.

"Living with fibromyalgia often means enduring relentless pain and emotional distress, which can make daily life feel overwhelming. However, recent research offers long-awaited hope. The study "Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Education for Fibromyalgia: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial" highlights an effective that could help you reclaim control over your life.

The study investigated three different approaches to managing fibromyalgia: Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and an educational control group. EAET, which focuses on helping individuals recognize and express suppressed emotions related to their pain, emerged as particularly effective.

The study found that the educational control group, while informative, did not achieve the same level of pain reduction and emotional improvement as CBT and EAET. CBT, another well-established therapy, did show positive results.

The most important finding of the study was this..."

🔗 Full Story: https://ppdassociation.org/blog/2024/6/17/june-2024-newsletter

🤔 Do you have burning questions about chronic pain or illness?

We are thrilled to invite you to an exclusive event - a live Q&A session with David Clarke MD, President of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association and a board-certified gastroenterologist and internist.

This Q&A will dive deeper into the science behind stress-induced pain and illness, and you are on the guest list!

Here is why you do not want to miss out:
▪ It's Absolutely Free: That's right - you get to learn from an expert without spending a dime.
▪ Attend Virtually: No need to leave your comfort zone. Attend the session right from your home, office, or favorite coffee shop.
▪ Global Accessibility: Regardless of where you are in the world, you can join in. All you need is a stable internet connection.
▪ Ask Your Unique Questions: Have a question that's been bothering you? Dr. Clarke is ready to answer. This is your chance to get expert insights tailored to your needs.
Don't miss this opportunity to empower yourself with the knowledge to manage your symptoms effectively.

🔗 Register here: https://ppdassociation.org/qa-event

Mainstream media is paying attention to mind-body pain or illness 🧠

highlighted the story of actress Kate Beckinsale's severe health issues, revealing that intense grief caused her to spend six weeks in the hospital. She shared that the emotional turmoil led to a torn esophagus and severe weight loss.

Dr. David Clarke, president of the PPDA, emphasized that stress and severe grief can "slow the emptying of the stomach to the point that vomiting occurs, and vomiting can cause a tear in the lower esophagus that can then hemorrhage."

Read the full story below👇

🔗

Doctors weigh in on Kate Beckinsale's bizarre grief claims Kate Beckinsale, 50, claimed that her grief led her to vomit blood and 'burn a hole' in her throat. Doctors told DailyMail.com that the body can go through extreme changes from grief.

We are thrilled to welcome these talented speakers to the upcoming in-person PPDA conference!

📍 Join us for three days of learning, networking, and growth with 19 PPD experts.

Don't miss the 2024 PPDA Conference in Boulder, CO, September 26-28. Secure your spot as availability is limited! 🗓️

🔗 Register here: https://ppdassociation.org/2024-ppda-conference #!event-register/2024/9/25/2024-ppda-conference-1

We're so excited to hear from all of our wonderful speakers!

Georgie will be speaking at this years PPD Association Conference that runs from 26-28 September 2024!

You can register for the Conference here: www.EndChronicPain.org

"Angela was in her prime when she caught a mild case of COVID-19. The mother of two was a therapist and did five high-intensity exercise classes weekly. With mounting personal stressors, her energy didn’t rebound afterward. Angela pushed through heavy fatigue for five months, until her mental and physical health crashed.

It started with panic attacks, paranoia, anxiety and depression. Her sense of doom was so great that she thought she was dying. Angela had to be hospitalized several times so she wouldn’t harm herself. Although she’d supported her own patients through a similar crisis, Angela had no experience with psychiatric issues herself.

Next came POTS, brain fog, exhaustion, insomnia, head pain, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. Her family had to decipher forms at the long COVID clinic. Angela’s blood pressure dropped so quickly that when she rose, she had to remain at a 45-degree angle. Her life became confined to a daybed her family set up on the porch. For a change of scenery, Angela would crawl to the grass..."

This story comes from our July newsletter. Click the link below to read Angela's full recovery story!👇

🔗 Full Story: https://ppdassociation.org/blog/2024/6/17/june-2024-newsletter

🤔 Did you know a PPD approach has been used to successfully treat Long-Covid?

Twenty-three adults under 60 with "High" or "Very High" Long-Covid symptoms took part in a 13-week Psychophysiologic Symptom Relief Therapy course.

🌟 Results:
▪ 80% decrease in shortness of breath
▪ 67% decrease in brain fog
▪ 52% decrease in pain
▪ Most participants saw improvement within four weeks. Before treatment, 57% said exercise worsened their symptoms. After eight weeks, only 4% felt that way.

No control group was used, but these results suggest a significant role for Psychophysiologic Disorder in Long-Covid recovery.

🌱"Reengaging with joy and the things you love rebuilds your life and helps you regain your health." - Aoife

From a young age, Aoife experienced stomach and bowel problems, pain, and fevers with no clear medical explanation.

Despite seeking help from medical clinicians, alternative health practitioners, and mental health professionals her symptoms worsened over the years, leading to a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia.

However, it wasn't until she discovered the mind-body connection that she began to find relief.

Aoife explains that the missing piece of the puzzle for her was understanding the biology of stress and how it affects the body.

She realized that her symptoms were a result of chronic stress and that she could reverse their effects by changing her thoughts, emotions, and responses to life.

By addressing her self-esteem, perfectionism, and high expectations of herself and others, Aoife was able to transform her life and regain her health.

🔗 Full Story: https://ppdassociation.org/aoife-mccormack

PPDA President David Clarke MD has an online presentation July 19. You can register at www.centerfortransformativehealing.org/workshops

💡 Functional neurologic disorder (FND) is the second most common diagnosis in neurology clinics after headaches.

Patients experience symptoms linked to abnormal nerve function (see below). However, there is no known disease of or damage to the nerves or brain that is responsible.

The symptoms are entirely real and can include:

▪Muscle weakness or paralysis

▪Blackouts or non-epileptic seizures/attacks

▪Movement disorders including tremors (shaking), muscle spasms and jerky movements.

▪Loss of vision or double vision.

▪Speech symptoms including dysphonia (whispering or hoarse speech), slurring or stuttering.

▪Disturbance of skin sensation such as hemisensory syndrome (altered sensation down one side of the body)

▪Dizziness and balance problems

The most likely explanation for FND is that there are changes in key circuits in the brain.

💡"Research confirms that pain relief psychology achieves far better outcomes for non-structural pain or illness than earlier forms of treatment"

Dr. David Clarke, President of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association, was recently featured in ! 🌟

In this article, "5 Signs Stress is Causing Your Chronic Pain," Dr. Clarke dives into how stress-induced changes in the brain can lead to chronic pain and illness 🧠

🔗 Read the full article here: https://theedenmagazine.com/stress-is-causing-your-chronic-pain/

📍 Join us for three days of learning, networking, and growth with 19 PPD experts.

Don't miss out on the 2024 PPDA Conference in Boulder, CO, September 26-28! Secure your spot and save with early bird pricing—ends in just 29 days! 🗓️

🔗 Register Here: https://ppdassociation.org/ppd-alliance-events #!event/2024/9/25/2024-ppda-conference-1

💡 Pelvic pain that lasts longer than six months occurs in one in six women and one in ten men.

The pain can be highly variable in severity and in its relationship to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, sexual in*******se, defecating, emptying the bladder, body movement, and the presence of pain or illness elsewhere in the body.

A number of diseases and structural abnormalities can cause this condition although in some cases an abnormality can be present but not responsible for the pain. This is likely the reason why laparoscopic surgery achieves complete pain relief in less than half of female patients.

When medical evaluation finds no disease or injury, or when treatment measures fail to achieve expected improvement, then it is likely that the brain is involved in generating or contributing to the pain.

🥳 Big Announcement!

The 2024 PPDA Conference

Join us in Boulder, CO, September 26-28, for three days of networking, connection-building, learning, and growth for our movement with 19 outstanding PPD experts.

Topics include common and uncommon symptoms, personality traits, sports injuries, women's health, gastrointestinal conditions, hypertension, long COVID, the latest research, challenging cases, functional disorders, public awareness strategies, working with kids and groups, how to create an overall program for patients, and more. There will also be a special forum in honor of Dr. John E. Sarno.

Registration includes access to all conference sessions, on-site meals, and networking events.

🔗 Register here: https://ppdassociation.org/ppd-alliance-events #!event/2024/9/25/2024-ppda-conference-1